LNP progresses record number of major projects

Published Tuesday, 13 November, 2012 at 03:19 PM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

A record 85 statutory decisions on major projects have been made by Queensland’s Coordinator-General in the first months of the Newman Government. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said today the figure showed the LNP Government was delivering on its commitments to get the state back on track. 

“In just seven months of LNP Government the Coordinator-General (CG) has made more key decisions than any former CG,” Mr Seeney said. 

“The previous highest number of CG decisions in one year was 67. The current Coordinator-General Barry Broe is well ahead of that with months to go before the Newman Government records its first year in office. 

“He has progressed almost twice as many major projects in just over six months than the Bligh Government dealt with in their entire last year in office (45) and is currently delivering 12 key decisions every month. 

“I want to congratulate the Coordinator-General and his team for their focussed delivery approach and timely assessments that helped make these statutory decisions. 

“They have reduced assessment timeframes by up to 50 per cent which is crucial to attracting investment to our state. 

“Mr Broe put in place a wide range of measures to achieve that aim after being appointed to his role. 

“He established a Fast-Tracking Taskforce to identify ways to speed up and streamline approvals processes and they have been putting into practice a 37-point action plan developed in conjunction with industry, federal and local government.”

Mr Seeney said the statutory decisions related to multi-billion dollar projects at various stages of assessment to ensure that proper account is taken of all potential environmental, economic and social impacts. 

“As of today (Nov 13), there were 34 significant projects being actively assessed by the Office of the Coordinator-General,” he said. 

“These projects have the potential to generate $78 billion in capital investment, 40,000 jobs in construction and 23,000 jobs in ongoing operational roles. 

“These are major resource, infrastructure and tourism projects that will contribute significantly to Queensland’s Four Pillar Economy.” 

Mr Seeney said recent Coordinator-General decisions included approving: 

o Significant Project Declaration and release of the draft terms of reference for China Stone Coal, Pisolite Hills, the Port of Gladstone Gatcombe and Golding Cutting Channel Duplication and Cairns Shipping Development projects;

o approval of the final terms of reference for the Central Queensland Integrated Rail project;

o release for public consultation of the Environmental Impact Statements for the South Galilee Coal project and the Gold Coast International Marine Precinct;

o release of the supplementary information to the Environmental Impact Statement for Kevin’s Corner. 

Mr Broe thanked the skilled and highly professional staff in the Office of the Coordinator-General. 

He said he was also looking forward to continuing to facilitate the major projects that would create jobs and support the economic development of Queensland for many years into the future. 

[ENDS] 13 November 2012

Media Contact: John Wiseman – 3224 4600